USA · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
United States Withdraws B-1 Bombers From RAF Fairford After Terrorist Incident
All 12 B-1 bombers at Fairford were withdrawn to U.S. bases. Withdrawal followed arrests of several men over a suspected Iranian-linked attack plot.
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Bombers pulled from Fairford
The United States withdrew all its B-1 bombers deployed at RAF Fairford after a “terrorist” incident near the base, and a U.S. Department of Defense official told Europa Press that “all U.S. bombers deployed at the RAF base in Fairford have returned to their home bases in the United States.”
The Pentagon said operational security prevented it from confirming movements in real time, but the Pentagon spokesperson told Al Jazeera that “all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States.”
British authorities had arrested several men over an alleged plot targeting the facility, and the U.S. withdrawal followed the detention and release of at least six people so far, according to Europa Press.
The incident triggered evacuations of dozens of residences, and the Europa Press report said three “suspicious vehicles” were intercepted near the military installations.
The withdrawal came as Fairford had hosted B-1 bombers in recent months, with Europa Press describing the base as used to deploy U.S. bombers within the framework of the open conflict in the Middle East following the surprise offensive launched on Feb. 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Iran dispute and arrests
UK authorities arrested five men on suspicion of plotting to plant explosives near the base on September 27, and the men were released without charge a day later. Investigators discovered petrol but no explosive devices in the vans, and British police also arrested a 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national in London on Thursday. Vicki Evans said, “we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement,” as the investigation continued.
The Pentagon spokesperson said the Airmen operating the bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, “remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States.” Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain had “strong indications” that Iran was involved in the suspected plot, while Tehran rejected the accusation and summoned the British ambassador in Iran, according to India Today.
Readiness and what changes
The Pentagon said the withdrawal did not remove the ability to strike, and Europa Press reported that the portfolio led by Pete Hegseth stressed that “the personnel of the Air Force operating the United States bomber fleet, including the B-1, B-2, and B-52, remain ready to provide global precision strike capabilities.”
The Pentagon spokesperson said the Airmen operating the bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, “remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States.”
Europa Press said the U.S. Defense official did not specify the nature of the deployment of U.S. fighters at Fairford, and the official said “operational security prevented” the Pentagon from confirming movement of assets and forces in real time.
Police found no explosives after reports of suspicious activity at the base last Sunday, and the scare forced evacuations at 85 homes near the airbase.
National Counter Terrorism Policing head Lawrence Taylor said investigators recovered “a quantity of petrol,” while the Pentagon confirmed the bombers had returned to their home stations in the United States.